On Friday, 04/22/2016 at 07:07 GMT, Offer Baruch <[email protected]> 
wrote:
> Can you please explain what is the problem with linux working in trunk 
mode?
> What security problem are you talking about?

An untrusted server should not be on a trunk port.  Ever.  A trunk can 
also carry untagged frames, and those frames will be associated with the 
*native* VLAN of the switch.  I can't get people to code "VLAN AWARE 
NATIVE NONE", so they are getting "NATIVE 1".  That means untagged frames 
from a VLAN-aware guest will be placed on VLAN 1, which is the default for 
most switch vendors, and is used to carry switch management traffic.  And 
to talk to other hosts attached to the default VLAN.

I'm not sure if a physical switch port can have the native VLAN ID for 
that port excluded from the allowed VLANs, or if that will raise an error. 
 NATIVE NONE causes untagged frames to be dropped on trunking vNICs.  z/VM 
6.1 and earlier don't have that capability, so be careful.

Trunks are for switches, not hosts.  From the network's point of view, ALL 
hosts are evil.  Let us say that in order to save money, you are attaching 
multiple hosts to a trunked OSA port.  There are NO OSA controls on what 
LPARs can use what VLANs, so it must be assumed that the host can attach 
itself to any VLAN authorized for the port.

In a VSWITCH, we don't have that problem.  However, VLAN IDs can and do 
change.  You don't want a VLAN-aware host to be accidentally left on the 
wrong VLAN.  Network People don't expect hosts to be using trunks without 
a Really Good Reason.

Alan Altmark

Senior Managing z/VM and Linux Consultant
Lab Services System z Delivery Practice
IBM Systems & Technology Group
ibm.com/systems/services/labservices
office: 607.429.3323
mobile; 607.321.7556
[email protected]
IBM Endicott

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